Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CD8+ T cell) (CTL (for "cytotoxic T lymphocyte") or CD8+ T cell)

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs, usually CD8+ T cells) are immune cells capable of recognizing and directly killing cells displaying specific antigens, typically in the context of MHC class I molecules. In cancer immunotherapy, "tumor antigen-specific cytotoxicity via polyclonal autologous T cells" refers to the use or expansion of patient-derived tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) or other T cells that can recognize multiple tumor-associated antigens and eliminate cancer cells. This approach forms a foundational component of adoptive cell transfer therapies, including TIL therapy and CAR-T cell therapy (though CAR-T uses engineered receptors). The target of these T cells is not the cytotoxic T cell itself, but the tumor antigen presented by malignant cells[2][4][7][9].

Other names

Cytotoxic T lymphocyteCTLCD8+ T cellkiller T cellcytolytic T cellT-killer cell

Recognition of antigen/MHC-I complex via TCR and CD8; Release of cytotoxic granules (perforin and granzymes) to induce apoptosis; Fas ligand–Fas receptor interaction to induce target cell death; Cytokine-mediated indirect killing (such as TNF-α).